Hyundai Motor has announced that they are due to begin construction of a hydrogen fuel cell plant in South Korea, specifically Ulsan. This construction will begin in 2025 and it is planned that a target for mass production will be set for 2028.

This will be the company’s third fuel cell manufacturing plant and it is anticipated that this plant will have the capacity to produce systems for a maximum of 6,500 hydrogen-powered cars on an annual basis.

Right now Hyundai produces the majority of their products in China, at the Guangzhou facility. This includes their passenger vehicles (Nexo), buses, Xcient trucks and its new SUV. The Guangzhou facility has an annual capacity of about 6,500 units, whilst the fuel cell factory in Chungju, which is located in South Korea, is able to manufacture 23,000 units every year.

It has already been planned that the hydrogen-powered SUV, INITUM has been designed to be built with aerodynamic wheels. Along with these wheels, it is agreed that the vehicle will have low rolling resistance tyres. Further to this, Hyundai has now stated that the company is, ‘targeting a range of 650km on one tank of hydrogen.’

The excellent new Ulsan fuel cell plant was brought into the hydrogen industry through Hyundai’s strategy. This strategy centers around the concept of expanding hydrogen consumption, with a goal of reaching three million tonnes per year by 2035. This strategy falls in line with the global decarbonisation shift, which is currently taking place.

Although Hyundai has not spoken about any technical details that will be involved in powertrain system, the company has stated that, ‘by developing its fuel cell technology, it has increased stack output and enhanced battery capacity to deliver up to 150kW of power.’